the report of the pilot project - International Labour Organization
the report of the pilot project - International Labour Organization
the report of the pilot project - International Labour Organization
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Report <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Pilot Research Project on Children Working in Cultural and Artistic Activities<br />
shooting at night. We also press for some conditions like providing health insurance in contests<br />
participated by children; good boarding facilities for children coming in from o<strong>the</strong>r places, safe<br />
transportation and even having a day free to take children to historical and cultural points.”<br />
He said <strong>the</strong> following about <strong>the</strong> need for families to be keen on <strong>the</strong> rights <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>ir children: “There are<br />
many requests from families. They come here toge<strong>the</strong>r with <strong>the</strong>ir children and want to speak to us,<br />
but we turn <strong>the</strong>m down. It is better that children experience and learn acting in <strong>the</strong>ir schools or child<br />
<strong>the</strong>atres. Families should not see <strong>the</strong>ir children’s engagement in this sector as a source <strong>of</strong> income.”<br />
The authority concerned emphasized <strong>the</strong> following in particular:<br />
The rights <strong>of</strong> child actors should be <strong>the</strong> primary consideration in cultural and artistic activities<br />
and <strong>the</strong> best interest <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> child should be observed as <strong>the</strong> guiding principle in <strong>the</strong>se activities.<br />
Child actors should be preferred in cultural and artistic activities organized specifi cally for<br />
children.<br />
Involvement <strong>of</strong> child actors in cultural and artistic activities should be arranged in a way to<br />
prevent children from perceiving <strong>the</strong>se activities as a kind <strong>of</strong> business.<br />
Age-specifi c cultural and physical characteristics <strong>of</strong> children must be considered and <strong>the</strong><br />
development <strong>of</strong> those working in cultural and artistic activities for a long time must be<br />
followed and supported.<br />
Public opinion is convinced that involvement in cultural and artistic activities has positive<br />
effect on children’s personal development. However, in order for this convincement to be<br />
confi rmed and to avoid any commercial linkage between children and arts, schools, local<br />
governments and private institution should encourage such activities.<br />
4.1.10. Findings from Interviews with Child Actors<br />
Analyzing interviews, we fi nd that children are generally happy as actors. Child 2 (11 years old) states<br />
“once being close friends when I appear on <strong>the</strong> screen, some <strong>of</strong> my peers keep a distance away when<br />
<strong>the</strong> series is over” as <strong>the</strong> negative side <strong>of</strong> his engagement and “being liked and appreciated by o<strong>the</strong>rs”<br />
as positive. All three child actors say <strong>the</strong>y receive positive responses from <strong>the</strong>ir environments. Child<br />
2 says: “Yes, responses are positive, but even in a small quarrel my friends keep telling me ‘you have<br />
a big nose and this is why it happened!’”. Child 3 (16 years old) says, “I am in this series for <strong>the</strong> last<br />
5 years and I am happy to be well known in my school for this.”<br />
Child actors were asked whe<strong>the</strong>r <strong>the</strong>y would like to continue acting in <strong>the</strong>ir future life. In responding<br />
to this question, Child 1 (10 years old) stated his wish to remain as such while Child 2 said he<br />
was “undecided between acting and being a medical doctor.” Child 3 says he wants to attend <strong>the</strong><br />
conservatory after fi nishing high school, fi nding acting as a delightful experience and engagement.<br />
As to <strong>the</strong> time consuming character <strong>of</strong> this engagement, child actors responded as follows: Child 1: “I<br />
can spare time for my family and friends”; Child 2 “I may not be seeing my bro<strong>the</strong>r for a long time,<br />
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